(Another) HD spring and tire question

[ezgoin92]

I recently saw a thread showing an approximate 1.5" gain in height just by adding HD springs, it also showed they had replaced with a longer shock...do i have to replace the shock or can i get enough "stretch" out of it to be okay. I have a 92 Marathon I am looking to get a little more height out of but by no means need a 6" lift. If i did the 4" i would probably just do the 4" economy lift. However if i can save some money by just gaining a little height with the front / rear HD springs and a slightly taller tire it would probably suit my needs. So question is... can i just get the front / rear hd springs and be ok or do i have to get new shocks as well? Also what is best guess for what size tire i can put under it (likely on original 8" rims) to help keep costs down. It will help save me a few so I can hopefully go play on Scotty B's website early next spring to beef up its power/speed capabilities. Good ole' CL hasn't offered me any good deals on tires lately but keeping my eyes open once i have some feedback on what yall think could fit under it. As always thanks in advnace.

[Sir Nuke]

The first question is what size tires are you going to buy? you can EASILY run up to 20" without a lift at all.......just depends on how you plan to use your cart

[kab69440]

A pair of 3" shock stud extenders is (ok, was a couple of years ago) less than $15. I'm running a pair on my cart now.

[ezgoin92]

The cart does a little on road driving but most is in and around the property. About 4 acres of grass, wooded trails and some moderate hill/slopes. Tire size will prob depend on what I can get for a reasonable price. I know I could save weight by getting bigger rims but im trying to keep it in check since I dont use the cart all the time. Just fun with the family and some work around the yard.

[JohnnieB]

Lifting the cart body an inch or a foot doesn't change the ground clearance of the axles, only taller tires will do that and the increase in axle height is only 1/2" for every 1" of tire height increase. However, if the cart is high-centering on lumps in the trail, lifting the cart body will help.

I drive across fields, on trails through the woods and climb some pretty wicked hills on tires that are actually shorter than stock height, without dragging the differential pan, but there are some places I don't go because I'm pretty sure it would drag if I did.

Are there any specific reasons for wanting to install taller tires and lift the cart's body?